EuroSail News #5324 - 4 May
In This Issue
• Double Bullet Day in St. Tropez
• Tom Dolan's Round Ireland Speed Record Bid Has Begun
• IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge
• Rounding the corner, with the doldrums ahead
• Nations' Cup - Royal Hong Kong YC
• Cup Spy : Four teams sail - but Kiwis run out of puff
• Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta
• Industry News
• Featured Charter: Truly Classic 90 S/Y 'Atalante'
• Featured Brokerage:
• • ClubSwan 50-008 ‘SPARTI’
• • 1944 Luders 24 - Belle
• • Balance 580
• The Last Word: Napoleon Bonaparte
Brought to you by Seahorse magazine and YachtScoring.com EuroSail News is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to
Double Bullet Day in St. Tropez
Austin and Gwen Fragomen's US flagged Interlodge which has Cameron Appleton as tactician and 2020 Olympian Stephanie Roble debuting as strategist made their best possible start to the 2023 52 Super Series season when they posted two wins from the first two races of the 52 Super Series Saint-Tropez Sailing Week.
The first ever visit to France of the 52 Super Series opened with light 6-10kt SSW'ly breezes on the Gulf of Saint Tropez. Interlodge were one of the first teams to recognise the advantage on the right side of the course and after making two useful starts they were able to lead both races from early on to win by a solid margin both times.
There was also a positive debut on the circuit for the Hong Kong team Alpha +. With Ian Walker calling tactics they were one of the three boats to benefit most on the right of the first upwind and sailed smoothly and confidently to hold third through the line, putting any first day nerves behind them.
Interlodge, who won only one race last season - in Puerto Portals, Mallorca - showed good speed around the course. In beautiful spring sunshine, veteran owner-driver Fragomen arrived back in the old port of Saint-Tropez wearing a huge smile.
52 Super Series Saint-Tropez Sailing Week after two races
1. Interlodge (USA), Austin y Gwen Fragomen, 1+1 = 2
2. Provezza (TUR), Ergin Imre, 2+5 = 7
3. Gladiator (GBR), Tony Langley, 5+3 = 8
4. Alegre (GBR), Andy Soriano, 4+4 = 8
5. Vayu (THA), Familia Whitcraft, 10+2 = 12
6. Alpha+ (HKG), Shawn y Tina Kang, 3+11 = 14
7. Quantum Racing Powered By American Magic (USA), Doug DeVos, 6+8 = 14
8. Sled (USA), Takashi Okura, 8+7 = 15
9. Platoon (GER), Harm Muller Spreer, 7+9 = 16
10. Paprec (FRA), Jean Luc Petithuguenin, 11+6 = 17
11. Phoenix (RSA), Hasso y Tina Plattner, 9+10 = 19
Tom Dolan's Round Ireland Speed Record Bid Has Begun
Just before dawn on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023, Ireland's leading solo sailor, the French-based Tom Dolan, embarked on his latest adventure to round Ireland in under four days and break the record that has stood for 18 years.
The 10-day wait is over, and at 04 hours, 27 minutes and 54 seconds, Dolan headed south at 185 degrees for the Tuskar Rock, leaving behind the starting line between Dún Laoghaire harbour and the Kish lighthouse and establishing a new time for the fastest single-handed sailing time around Ireland.
It's a journey of 700 nautical miles around Ireland and all its islands; his seven-sail boat is capable of hitting speeds of up to 26 knots, or 52km per hour but averaging much less than that, about seven knots.
As the solo sailor, whose French rivals refer to him as 'Irlandais volant' or the 'Flying Irishman', approached the start line in upwind mode just after 4 am, conditions at start time were gentle on the Kish Bank, not exactly record-breaking stuff, with only five to eight knots from the south in a flat sea. But, as per the carefully chosen forecast, all that is about to change. Dolan will confront much stronger winds along the south and west coasts of Ireland over the next 48 hours so he can live up to his French billing.
Diverse PalmaVela fleet to kick off 2023 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge
Tom Ripard with the 'first maxi' Stormvogel, launched in 1961 for original owner Kees Bruynzeel. Photo by James Boyd / IMA. Click on image to enlarge.
Nine maxis will open the racing tomorrow at the Real Club Náutico de Palma's Mediterranean season opener, PalmaVela.
This is appropriate given PalmaVela originated solely for maxis: Palma was always popular with the world's largest racing yachts and so the internationally renowned RCNP introduced this event back in 2004 as Maxi Race Week. Today it has been rechristened and maxis race alongside smaller handicap, one design or box rule classes, but PalmaVela remains the opening event of the annual Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge (MMIC) run by the International Maxi Association (IMA), the body officially tasked by World Sailing to oversee and develop maxi racing.
The IMA's annual sister series, the Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge (MMOC) kicked off last weekend with PalmaVela's offshore event, La Larga. In this the maxi class raced 240 miles with the course starting and finishing in Palma taking in Mallorca, Menorca and Cabrera and was won by the VO70 I Love Poland.
Never before has the PalmaVela IRC maxi fleet been so diverse. This week the fastest is the Wallycento Galateia with an IRC TCC of 1.787, while the slowest is the legendary offshore racer Stormvogel, launched in 1961 for Dutch plywood pioneer Kees Bruynzeel. Built to the maximum limit of the rule of the day, Bruynzeel enthusiastically campaigned her as far afield as the Transpac, China Sea Race and Sydney-Hobart. Her IRC TCC is a more modest 1.181, similar to a modern 40ft racer. -- James Boyd
internationalmaxiassociation.com
Rounding the corner, with the doldrums ahead
The USA lies to the north and Brazil is now in the wake of the four teams racing towards Newport, Rhode Island as the fleet has rounded the northeastern corner of Brazil.
The next transition will be to cross what appears on the forecast to be a fairly benigh doldrums - the teams are far enough to the west that the impact shouldn't be too strong or long lasting.
As of 1300 UTC on Monday, the leading teams are starting to approach the unsettled weather that is characteristic of the doldrums. The sailors can expect rain squalls, high temperatures and humidity and thunderstorms. This should last for about 36 hours, before the teams break through and into the north Atlantic trade winds.
Team Malizia and 11th Hour Racing Team have been swapping the lead back and forth on the tracker for the past 24 hours, with the German team slightly further north, and the Americans just to the west. In reality, there is little to choose between the two positions. The pair will cross the equator later on Monday evening UTC and the effects of the doldrums will then become more pronounced.
The ETA for the finish of leg 4 in Newport remains May 10 and should firm up later this week with the fleet in more stable conditions
Nations' Cup - Royal Hong Kong YC
Team Belgium. Click on image to enlarge.
Often referred to as sailing's answer to the (Hong Kong) Rugby Sevens insofar as costumes are encouraged, the most colourful event of the Club's sailing season, the Nations' Cup took place on 30 April in Victoria Harbour.
73 boats spanning 17 nations and regions (well,18 including the Galactic Empire) turned up on the start line. 39 boats represented Hong Kong (China) with the second largest participating nation England, represented by eight entries. Also sailing for the glory of their nation were Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden and the USA.
As always on this celebrated annual occasion, many sailors attended in fancy dress, celebrating the spirit of the day by wearing themed costumes and decorating their boats with national flags. All Pandora crews dressed up as characters from the comic "Old Master Q" representing the old Hong Kong, while an all-girl team on board Ruffian Skellum, dressed fully in Dunhuang style with amazing hairstyles. Big Boat Goddess representing the USA saw their crew dressed as all American icons such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, while the Belgium team were dressed in beer cup costumes and team England representatives dressed as ancient knights onboard Knight Shift.
In the end, Dion Houghton's VX One Rita representing England was crowned top nation for the second time in the club's history of the Nations' Cup, also snagging the all-important bragging rights for having their flag displayed over the Main Bar until next year's event. In second place was the Philippines followed by the Netherlands in third place. Fukushima Kunihiro's Water Rabbit representing Japan, took first place in HKPN division for the second year in a row.
Cup Spy : Four teams sail - but Kiwis run out of puff
Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed their AC75 out of Barcelona, with one of the objectives being to improve their foiling tacks and gybes. "Sailing was good and an overall improvement compared to previous days, with the most maneuvers completed since commissioning the new upgrades earlier this month," reported the AC37 Joint Recon team.
Luna Rossa sailed from Cagliari, in another good productive session that is becoming the hallmark of the Italian campaign. Their only real issue seems to be in self-propelled starts. The team has received its AC-40 which is being unpacked, and is expected to be sailing next week.
Emirates Team New Zealand was set up to sail, and went on the water for several hours chasing a light seabreeze.
INEOS Britannia sailed out of Mallorca, after overcoming some early issues with the mainsail. American Magic did not sail.
No further news from the Orient Express Team (formerly K-Challenge).
Read Richard Gladwell's report in Sail-World.com
Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta
Last year, 190 boats raced in the Western Solent over the weekend of the Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta, based in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. Just two weeks ago, registration opened for this year's event, running from Friday 14th July to Sunday 16th July, and already 114 teams have entered the regatta, taking advantage of the event's substantial, early bird discount available until 29th May.
The successful format for the regatta, combining racing with a busy onshore social schedule, has been further improved for 2023. On the water, all boats will have a minimum of two races on Saturday and a single race on Sunday with classes representing an historic timeline of yachting evolution from X One Design, Yarmouth One Design and IRC Classic Cruisers and IRC Swan, through to modern IRC racing divisions.
While the Royal Solent Yacht Club caters for crews, family members and supporters throughout the day from pre-race breakfast to supper, there is much more on offer: 'New for Saturday afternoon, live music will be playing at the RSYC,' says Katie Davies. 'There'll also be a pop-up Gin Bar and a Champagne Bar as well as hot snacks available for all crews to refuel after a busy day on the water.'
For many, the regatta's social highlight is the Saturday night event held in the grounds of a landmark, waterfront property adjacent to the RSYC. 'The legendary Towers Party will provide live music, dancing, a spectacular firework display and food and bars,' Davies continues. 'An evening not to be missed!' Competitors can purchase Towers Party tickets online. Tickets will also be available to purchase in person from the Royal Solent Yacht Club front office from 15th May.
Notice of Race for the 2023 Taittinger RSYC Regatta (PDF)
Industry News
The Federation des Industries Nautiques announced that the Paris Boat Show has been canceled. The event was scheduled for Dec. 5-13.
With 800 exhibitors and more than 200,000 visitors expected, the federation had planned on setting up three events that would have allowed for controlled crowd flows within the 5,000 visitor limit. However, more restrictive measures put forth by the Minister of Health allows for 1,000 people at major events.
"The new measures hasten our decision and leave us no choice. The consequences will be serious, especially for all SMEs for whom trade shows are key moments for their turnover," said Yves Lyon-Caen, president of the Federation des Industries Nautiques, in a statement. "The fall and winter fairs are real places of business where 70 percent of annual orders are processed."
The FIN plans to launch in the coming days a digital event "tourism, territories, nautical destinations and innovation"
Nothing today can replace a boat show. However, until the situation improves, the FIN is determined to develop all the solutions that can reduce the economic impact of the crisis for businesses.
"France is a great nautical country. More than 11 million of our fellow citizens practice water sports or leisure activities. To support activity, prepare for the next summer season, enhance the offer of nautical territories, on the coast and "inland, in France and overseas, we want to offer an innovative solution to nautical tourism players in the coming days" , says the FIN. The national competition on nautical innovation which is usually held at the Paris show should also be able to benefit from a digital version this year.
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Cowes Week Ltd is absolutely delighted to announce today that Musto have renewed the relationship for a further five years as the Official Clothing Supplier.
The support of sponsors enables yachting events to take place and in making a long-term commitment to Cowes Week, Musto is investing in the hugely popular grassroots of the sport. Cowes Week welcomes 500 boats and nearly 4000 sailors every year and remains the biggest keelboat regatta in the world.
Look out for details of the official Cowes Week merchandise range by Musto which will be launched soon, as well as full details of the planned Cowes Week activities over the course of the next few months on the Cowes Week website.
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METSTRADE is to host a Start-Up Pavilion in 2023 for the first time in the show's history.
DE is introducing a new pavilion for start-ups to show their products
The pavilion - for 15 companies - will be run in collaboration with Yachting Ventures, providing a space for emerging start-ups to show their new products and technologies.
"By launching this brand-new pavilion, we give start-up businesses the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the whole host of leisure marine industry players that make up the show's 1,400+ exhibitors and 17,000+ attendees," said Niels Klarenbeek, METSTRADE show director.
"In return, our audience gets to witness tomorrow's inspiring innovation and meet the industry's pioneers and thought leaders."
The Start-Up Pavilion will be hosted in Hall 7, with Yachting Ventures sourcing and inviting the start-ups to participate.
There will also be start-up focused panel discussions and a start-up pitching competition to take place in the METSTRADE Theatre.
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The same group that Arcona Yachts AB belongs to has bought the boatbuilding company SailYard AB in Uddevalla with the ambition to strengthen competence and resources further within the group.
Arcona and SailYard have worked together for several years as SailYard already build the Arcona 435. The team are also mid production of the new flagship Arcona 50 designed by Jeppesen & Pons.
Arcona Yachts CEO, Urban Lagneus, says, "I think bringing this yard into the group is a very positive step forwards as we have collaborated for several years. It gives us the opportunity to utilise all their knowledge and experience, and have shorter, more efficient processes.
The fact that our parent company has now, in a short time, acquired a boatbuilding company as well as one of the west coast of Sweden's largest service and winter storage yards means that we now have completely different opportunities to offer a full-scale solution in everything from sales to service to winter storage."
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The Woolmark Performance Challenge asks you to create Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team sailing uniforms, harnessing Merino wool's innovative potential
The Woolmark Performance Challenge is a problem-solving platform, bringing together leading performance apparel brands with a global pool of world-class talent. It is designed to facilitate innovative, environmentally-considerate product solutions for the sports and performance market, by harnessing the unique natural properties of Australian Merino wool.
The challenge also provides a unique learning experience for participants and awards the finalists and winners with opportunities for international travel, financial rewards, and potential for career development.
Featured Charter
Truly Classic 90 S/Y ATALANTE. From 37,000 per week EUR. Located in West Mediterranean.
The second Truly Classic 90 sailing yacht, ATALANTE is elegant on the water and welcomes charter guests in the West Mediterranean
Greatly benefitting from the expertise of her architect Hoek Design and Dutch builder Claasen Jachtbouw, ATALANTE combines sailing performance with an abundance of space to create an excellent cruising yacht.
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Bernard-Gallay
Phone : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail : or
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
ClubSwan 50-008 ‘SPARTI’. 1,100,000 EUR VAT Paid Located in Calpe, Spain.
Cs50 Sparti had been handled by professional captain and professional team, regularly manSinWtaAiNne65d and always kept in perfect conditions. Super-fast boat been podium 3 times in the last 4 class world championships.
The ClubSwan 50 was developed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nautor’s Swan shipyard and celebrate everything that has made this cutting-edge boat builder one of the most widely recognized and trusted brands in yachting
See listing details in Nautor's Swan Brokerage
Contact
Jerome Mainemare
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1944 Luders 24 - Belle. 85,000 USD. Located in Newport RI USA.
A fast, pretty and successful Classic Day Racer, Belle, a Luders 24, Hull #2 is available after 34 years of current ownership. This thoroughbred has the coveted attributes of balance, ease through the water, and sheer good looks, together with “ahead of her time” construction, in top condition, make the phrase “Rare Opportunity” highly applicable here.
With a winning record of over 60 trophies; BELLE, a genuine CRFVintage class, is race-ready and in excellent cosmetic and structural condition. Laminated mahogany, hot molded and vacuum bagged, 38ft hull construction by Allied Aviation and finished at the renown Luders Marine Construction, CT (1944). Her 1991-1992 major refit included a cold molded underbody. Professionally and lovingly maintained, re-rigged, annually upgraded and inside stored.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Balance 580. POA USD.
The Balance 580 was designed for sailors with speed in their hearts but luxury on their minds.
With her powerful 2,255-square foot-sail plan the 580 ghosts along in 5 knots of wind while others are burning diesel. But when It’s blowing, furl in her headsails, reef her down, and fly. She is built to withstand the worst weather.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon. -- Napoleon Bonaparte
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